Color-ology of the Big Game

As the color and spectacle of Super Bowl 50 nears, and we all prepare to watch it on our 60” high definition flat screen TVs, it’s interesting to compare our current visual expectations of the event to the original version.

On Jan. 15, 1967, the date of the first Super Bowl, less than 25 percent of American homes had a color TV. So the majority of those football fans interested enough to tune in, saw the lush L.A. Coliseum Field, the green and yellow of the Packers uniforms and the bright red of the Chiefs, only as various shades of gray. The 100,000-seat stadium was only 60 percent filled that day, which is equally strange to consider today.

There was no Super Bowl logo for that first game, since it was known largely as The AFL-NFL World Championship Game. “Super Bowl” as a recognized and tenaciously trademarked brand name arrived the following year. (Try using the words “Super Bowl” in a promotion and see how quickly you get a cease and desist letter.) Since then, every game has received its own logo treatment—each one attempting to represent it as a compellingly momentous sporting event.

And for over 40 contests, Roman numerals have always been used to designate the year. Until this year. 2016 will be a one-time, one-year switch from using Roman numerals. This year’s Super Bowl logo is the epitome of simplicity—a polished gold “50” behind the shining silver Super Bowl trophy. Strong, elegant, confident. In its reflection is the one sporting event that brings the majority of Americans to a well-fed and advertisement-rich standstill.

The Teams

The Denver Broncos uniforms will bring their complementary colors of orange (PMS 1655) and blue (PMS 289C) to the playing field, creating maximum contrast and maximum visual “stability.” Their contrast to the green playing field grass will make it easier for Peyton Manning to see his receivers streaking down the field.

Across the line of scrimmage, the Carolina Panthers will be decked out in their bright (Pantone Process) blue, black and silver uniforms. These nearly electric colors are a perfect expression of the youthful, athletic, Cam Newton-led team. For the Carolina fans, it’s been said “Blue and black aren’t just colors, they’re a state of mind.” There has even been a rap song and video of the team produced, called “‪Carolina Colors.”

Whatever team and team colors you support during the game, don’t leave your seat and miss the commercials. They’re the one part of the event that fans on both sides can appreciate and enjoy.

Welcome Creative Communication & Design Visitors!

AMPERAGE will retain the expertise of CREATIVE’s owners. Chris Liedtke will be AMPERAGE’s director of Wisconsin operations. Cindy Baumann, creator of opportunities, will split her time between Wisconsin and Florida, where AMPERAGE’s largest client, Memorial Healthcare System is located.